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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
B-radical harmonica
B-radical harmonica
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robbert
1 post
Nov 06, 2010
4:36 PM
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I'm a new member, and haven't caught up with the various topics and threads yet, but I would like to share my impressions of the B-radical harp from Harrison Harmonicas.
I took up playing again ten years ago, after a long absence from musical investigations, and had reached a point where I wasn't satisfied playing most stock harps.
I'm not very skillful with my own modifications, and I was looking for a harp that's capable of overbends, so I could begin working on that technique. BUT, I also wanted a harp that could play well with any playing technique.
For instance, some harps modified for overbending, do not respond well when tonque blocked, particularly tongue slapped, so then that harmonica becomes a dedicated instrument...which for my limited budget, is not good. I want all my harps to be useful for regular gigging, if possible.
Anyway, over the last few years, after using mostly Special 20s and Lee Oskars, Marine Bands, and Big Rivers, I began a quest for higher end harps, trying a Seydel "Professional", a Suzuki "Firebreath", and a nicely modified Marine Band.
Although these harps all have their good points, and so do most stock harps, for that matter,I still had not found all the qualities I wanted in a harp.
Somewhere, along the way, I had checked out Brad Harrison, and had ordered one of his custom jobs to try. At some point, he offered to either fulfill my original custom order, or replace it with a B-radical, the instrument he was developing from scratch. I was intrigued by the idea of a first- rate instrument designed and manufactured here in the U.S.
It seemed like it could be THE instrument for me, so I agreed to wait for it to come out. As he was starting up this new company and working out final design and manufacturing, getting the backing, finding some staff to help out, all during a down economy, I had to wait a while.
It was worth the wait. Granted, at $180.00 U.S. it's not cheap, but neither is the product.
It looks and feels very good, modern, professional, with muted colors, all corners and edges rounded, very comfortable to hold and play.
it's very, very airtight,with great response across all octaves, strong projection, bright, edgy tone, good chords and octaves, overbends very accessible.
This harp looks and feels made to last, using nuts and bolts to fasten all the reeds instead of rivets or solder.
To me, this harp is a solid, good sounding, high quality instrument, made for the serious/professional player, and capable of great response, regardless of the playing style.
Also, I've found the staff at this small company are as responsive as the instrument itself, and seem dedicated to the customer.
Although many stock instruments(I own and use mostly stock instruments)serve the purpose, the fact that there seems to be a healthy demand for custom instruments indicates that players are looking for something more in an instrument.
At this point, I have two B-radicals, and I feel like this harp might well be the last word in diatonic harmonicas, and will likely be the last harp I'll be investing in...
Well, I guess you can tell I'm sold on this harp. I am very pleased with it, and hope to eventually acquire all five keys they plan to produce, at this time. As a local player in three bands, playing a variety of styles, I find this harp is just so enjoyable to play.
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Buddha
2660 posts
Nov 06, 2010
5:19 PM
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what keys did you get?
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"I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
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Stickman
524 posts
Nov 06, 2010
5:34 PM
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New member? or advertisement? Welcome aboard Robert. Sorry if I sound skeptical,but you wouldn't be the first person to show up here and say "I'm new here. Have you heard about the B-rad" and then never show up again.
Anyway welcome to MBH. I'm glad you enjoy your B-rad and hope you stick around. I would love to see a video of you playing it. You could submit an entry here
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/547207.htm
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chromaticblues
263 posts
Nov 06, 2010
6:01 PM
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Robert I had a whole bunch of nagaitive things I was going post, but honestly I'd love to see a US company do well. $180 is were they lose me!
Robert I will say that if we talked on the phone I heard you play I'm sure I could customize a harp for you and wouldn't cost $180!
sbaker60@cox.net
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rbeetsme
310 posts
Nov 06, 2010
7:30 PM
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I'm not new here, in fact, I've posted here before about the B-Rad. I waited over a year and a half before I received 1 of 3 harps. Robert's' right, best harp I own, can't wait for the other 2. BTW: There are a lot of folks claiming to be customizers, after talking with Joe Filisko a few years back concerning the effort he put into his harps, I am skeptical of "customizers".
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chromaticblues
264 posts
Nov 06, 2010
8:09 PM
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@ rbeetsme I am skeptical of customizers? What the F**k is that? Have you bought a custom from anyone?
Is Brad Harrison at the end of the assembly line testing every harp? I have not played one of these harps but I'm skeptical! That sounds like a statement without merit doesn't it!
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Buddha
2661 posts
Nov 06, 2010
8:16 PM
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I've played several B-Rads and not one of them came close to a good custom harp.
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"I am a great believer in understanding, not copying."
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Greg Heumann
858 posts
Nov 06, 2010
11:08 PM
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Interesting. I've played several custom harps and none of them came close to a B-Radical.
I've never played one of Chris's however. I hope to some day.
I stand by the above statement but I do not play B-Radicals. $$, delivery times, holes on the side make them hard to fully cup, bright tone... are on the downside for me. BUT - it is the most responsive, effortless harps to play - I'm not much of an OB'er but I can hit several on that harp when I often can't get a single one or only the 6OB on an out of the box SP20 or Seydel 1847.
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2010 11:15 PM
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Arnoud73
7 posts
Nov 07, 2010
2:15 AM
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Question: is the B-radical a "custemized harp" ore a "stock-harp" ?
And why does it take a year to make ? Are all parts 'handmade' ?
Can you get reedplates ? ore better: single reeds ?
Thanx,
Arnoud
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www.sweetportblues.nl
http://www.myspace.com/arnoudbluesharp
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LIP RIPPER
323 posts
Nov 07, 2010
3:45 AM
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My Buddha harp kicks the shit out of the B-rad I got.
LR
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jbone
431 posts
Nov 07, 2010
4:42 AM
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i'm following all this with interest. we splurged and ordered me a b rad in june, hope to see it at year's end.
early this decade i waited 15 months for 2 custom mb's. this was back before customizing had become a cottage industry, when there were maybe 6 guys in the whole country doing that work.
i know for a fact after using those 2 customs that i would benefit from a better than average otb harp. it is a question of affordability for me, say what you will about customs lasting longer, etc etc. when i need a harp to replace one that has worn out or been abused one too many times, i need it THIS WEEK.
i also really like the idea of an american made harp that outshines otb harps. if i were a guitar player i'd be looking to buy cbg's and cottage- made string instruments as well.
so for me, on several fronts, the harrison concept makes all kinds of sense. how will i pay for more b rads? i have no idea. but my long range plan is to keep acquiring different key harps as i can find a way to afford them, once i am satisfied i'm getting the best harp.
in addition to that plan i also hope to get my mitts on a good custom here and there. so the jury is still half out. no verdicts for a while yet from here.
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chromaticblues
265 posts
Nov 07, 2010
6:44 AM
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@jbone Man send me a crossover! For $20 more I'll make it the best bang for your buck harp you'll ever own! I'm trying to help people just like you! Oh and I think you said something about not waiting to?
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mlefree
16 posts
Nov 07, 2010
10:17 AM
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I'm very excited about the future of Harrison Harmonicas, but I doubt I'll find one in my personal arsenal. The price tag is the problem, though the wait is a bit off-putting too.
Instead of a single B-Rad, I will buy 6 new garden-variety Marine Bands and customize them myself by replacing the nails with screws, sealing the comb, and doing extensive embossing, reed work and retuning. It'll take me a couple weeks but I'll be playing my set of personally customized MBs long before a new B-Rad would arrive.
Still, like I say, I wish nothing but the best for Harrison harmonicas. I hope they fulfill the needs of many, many happy harpers out there. That would only be good for all harmonica fans.
That's the way I see it.
Michelle
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chromaticblues
268 posts
Nov 07, 2010
10:24 AM
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Well said mlefree!
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mlefree
17 posts
Nov 07, 2010
10:49 AM
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Thanks, chromaticblues. You know what I'm talkin' 'bout!
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shbamac
21 posts
Nov 07, 2010
11:40 AM
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@chromaticblues - sounds like a good deal. What do you do for $20?
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Stickman
527 posts
Nov 07, 2010
12:04 PM
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I want to know who robbert is and why he hasn't come back.
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pharpo
409 posts
Nov 07, 2010
12:16 PM
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@chromaticblues....can you contact me off list @ pmarcons@gmail.com re the crossover.
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Procrastinator Emeritus
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TahoeMike00
137 posts
Nov 07, 2010
12:19 PM
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@stickman I wondered the same thing. I smelled SPAM cookin' on the flat top the instant I saw his post.
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The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
Last Edited by on Nov 07, 2010 12:20 PM
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chromaticblues
270 posts
Nov 07, 2010
12:45 PM
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Anyone that's interested in the $20 blues light special can reach me at: sbaker60@cox .net or 401 284 1192
@ pharpo I've posted more than twice that I can easily make Crossovers into GREAT harps! And yes for $20. Sounds to good to be true doesn't it! I'm just doing this for a couple months so people will by my harps and the rest (I believe) will take care of i tself. If I do one for you. That same harp after the first of the year will be $50. Which is still not a bad deal! I'm not planning on getting rich doing this. I just want to do it!
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robbert
2 posts
Nov 07, 2010
2:29 PM
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Wow. That's an amazing amount of response.
I've never posted to ANY forum before, so I am impressed.
I am a player in Northern California. the thing about the B-radical, I think, is it is designed to accommodate any playing style.
I don't know if would work for everyone, but I find it works for me. I find it is not a finicky harp. It doesn't choke up, if you hit it a little hard, and yet it's overbends are still accessible. I am not an overbend player. I am trying to learn that style...it's a long road.
I posted this review because I really like the instrument and felt strongly enough about it. I'm not working for Harrison or anything like that. I'm just a satisfied customer.
I'm not advocating that the B-radical replaces custom harps...if you really know what you want, then the custom harp is a good choice, I think.
I wasn't sure what would work for me, but I have found that the Harrison instrument does suit me. More than other stock instruments. And more than custom, at this time.
I have an A and a C B-radical. The harp is designed and manufactured from scratch, entirely in the U.S., as I understand it, so that would make it a high-end stock instrument, I guess. Yes, the wait times are long and the price is high, but I think it's worth it. I believe individual reeds are or will be obtainable.
I guess playing a harp is so individual...if I had a bigger budget, I'd try more customs, and more stock harps...but at this point I'm simply going for where I can get the biggest, most reliable bang for my buck. I'd rather pay $180.00 per harp and have it be more or less permanent, reliable, and extremely playable, than put out $30-$180 for any range of possibly decent to great harps.
I like the B-radical, FOR ME, it is the best diatonic harp I have played in the ten meager years I have been serious about playing.
Thanks everyone for the discussion. This is about sharing knowledge, experience, opinions. Once again, I appreciate all the response.
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Stickman
528 posts
Nov 07, 2010
2:34 PM
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WOW! Robert, you came around to recheck your post. Maybe I was wrong about you. Do you plan on sticking around and being a regular member? Care to put a pin in our map? Or participate in our non competitive competition HPC4? Have you been lurking for a while?
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Last Edited by on Nov 07, 2010 2:37 PM
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harmonicanick
989 posts
Nov 07, 2010
2:51 PM
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Hi Robert,
Why wern't you happy with stock harps exactly, what is your goal in harmonica playing?
Most, if not all, of the experienced players here will not pay that much for a B rad, when custom harps come in less and, are more responsive and can actually be tailored to your own style of playing!!
I play GM's and have 3 customised by local guy here in the uk; its a a lot cheaper, but I have to admit I have not tried a Brad, so i guess its personal and if you are happy that's good. They look great though..
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rbeetsme
312 posts
Nov 07, 2010
3:25 PM
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I've got your back Robert, my sole C B-Radical is the first out of the case. I have set of nice Rupert Oysler tuned Promasters, great harps, my working harps, I have other Promasters too, like the covers, feel and tone. But the Harrison harp fits the hand better, lighter, more responsive, plenty loud. Feels right! I will say that the tone is a little different from my other harps, not better, not worse, just different. Harp choice, like any gear is subjective. I know players who won't buy new guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos etc., absolutely obsessed with the tone and quality of old instruments. Then other guys want a custom made instrument for the feel, upgrades and action of a new improved ax. Its the same here. BTW: I love the customs and the vintage, I'm playing through a Sonny Jr. 4X10 or a Dano Commando 8X8, both terrific amps.
Last Edited by on Nov 07, 2010 3:26 PM
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RyanMortos
887 posts
Nov 07, 2010
7:04 PM
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I might venture to say Greg Heumann's review of the B-radical may be the best I've heard. I like that he's listed the positives and negatives in the build of the instrument. Sounds to me he's actually played one & he's actually being objective.
Like many others have said, they'll have to cut their price in half & have every key B-rad available to ship within 90 days before I would consider buying one. Though, I give my Buddha harp & the lesson that came with it a 5-star review & that was cheaper & arrived faster, plus I know a lot of heart went into it & it was made especially for me.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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Kyzer Sosa
863 posts
Nov 07, 2010
7:25 PM
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robbert says: I'd rather pay $180.00 per harp and have it be more or less permanent, reliable, and extremely playable, than put out $30-$180 for any range of possibly decent to great harps.
Huh? that's almost TNFrank-ish...cept the opposite direction. First off, how many good/great/permanent (whatever) harps are out there for more than $60? Two: a B-rad or a custom. Since the very beginning of Brad's harps being made available, I laughed my entire ass off at the ludicrous price he's asking us to pay for his "innovations". Make no mistake folks, they are MANUFACTURED harmonicas.
Anyone who would consider their $180 B-rad comparable to a $200 harmonica customized by the top 10 guys, regardless of playing style, shoudld have their head examined.
would i spend $3000 for an Armani suit off the rack, or have well known tailor take my measurements and hand make a suit unique to only me for $3500? = NO BRAINER...
anyway, im beginning to think i need to be the SECOND manufacturer of harmonicas built in the USA and charge $50 for them...something tells me that based on the opinions of the masses, I could be a very rich man, very quickly.
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Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
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robbert
4 posts
Nov 07, 2010
7:43 PM
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Okay, so I lost a big long post I just wrote. At least it didn't show up on the forum...
So, how to recap all that...
I don't why I became dissatisfied with most stock harps. I think I was ready to take my playing to a little higher notch and wanted a more versatile instrument to make the effort on.
Maybe I was thinking it was time to invest more in my playing by getting a better instrument. They were out there. High-end stock instruments from Seydel, legendary custom instruments by almost unavailable, overworked harp techs, all these decisions, the investment...
I researched, ordered and received, before the B-radical, a Buddha harp from you, Chris. A magnificent, well-crafted harp, specifically made for me to work on overbending. It worked, and I was pleased with it. Would I recommend them? Hell, yes and so would a lot of other guys.
Why do I PREFER the B-radical? Every player's journey is so personal. Playing styles and approaches, stages of development all come into play.
I think the Buddha harp was so specifically designed that I couldn't easily use it to play my usual stuff on..does that mean I chuck it out?
NO, I work on overbending with it. It did exactly what I wanted. It allowed me to work on a technique.
I just didn't have the technique to play the instrument for what it was designed to do! The whole idea was to get a superior instrument that would teach me how to play!
But, being mostly a regular 2ond, 3rd and 1st pos player, in that order, and then some chromatic(mostly in C, dm,Am, and passably in some of the flat keys, I wanted a harp that I know I can get those overbent notes out of(one day!), but still play my regular stuff on.
I love that overbending style of playing, but I can't do it. I can work on it...but I can't play that way. But I want to change that, eventually, and having the harps that have that potential available, while being great for regular gigging, is what I wanted, and the B-radical works FOR ME in that way.
Having those B-radicals in my harp case upgrades my whole playing experience. For some folks, a good custom harmonica is better for them. The B-radical works for me. For a long time Special 20s, Lee Oskars, Marine Bands and the like, worked. I still have and use mostly those stock harps.
Now that I have discovered how addictive it is, I plan to post material here on a regular basis. I thank Adam for making it available.
When I get the technology together I'll post some playing samples. I don't consider myself a great or confident player, but I've managed to find myself in four different groups, three of them local, working bands in my area. I enjoy the hell out of it all.
For some snippets of my playing style, check out the band, Inya eeya, on myspace, from a live recording a few years ago. My website is rctrice.com. Take care, y'all.
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Arnoud73
11 posts
Nov 08, 2010
3:15 AM
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Hello Robbert,
I just checked the B-radical website and I see that the reeds are screwed intead off nailed....wow that 's a great advantage.
If you own a B radical is it easy to get spare reeds ??
Thanx,
Arnoud
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http://www.myspace.com/arnoudbluesharp
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joeleebush
122 posts
Nov 08, 2010
3:59 AM
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And Robert comes on the site, seems to be sincere, and he has to wade through "skeptical dissing" from the spam police.
man oh man....just cut the guy a little slack. Is that possible?
By the way, chromaticblues can do everything he says he can do. I am no dummy when it comes to harps and he did some "hoo doo" work on some 20's for me and they can take the pressure of 3-4 nights a week gigging with me as the frontman doing Walter, Piazza, and a little original stuff. They hold up well.
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RT123
12 posts
Nov 08, 2010
5:24 AM
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I received my B-Radical yesterday. I played the 12 bar blues and wow my life changed.
I had a date with a supermodel
Grew 2 inches
my bald spot filled in
completed a Rubix Cube in 12 seconds, blindfolded
un-scrambled and egg
John and George rose from the dead and re-united with Ringo and Paul. They played a private show in my living room (Yoko was not invited).
Did a wheelie on my unicycle
Dr Phils show was cancelled
Global warming stoped
I got a raise at work
Scored a new record high on Donkey Kong
And to top it all off, my local McDonalds is now selling the McRib sandwich again.
Damn those B-Radicals are GREAT!
Last Edited by on Nov 08, 2010 6:11 AM
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rbeetsme
313 posts
Nov 08, 2010
6:06 AM
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RT123 What? Are you serious? McRibs are back!!??
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hohnerjones
17 posts
Nov 08, 2010
7:04 AM
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Rick, funniest thing I've read all morning!!!
Where do you live RT? We don't get mail on sunday here in Philly.
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hvyj
807 posts
Nov 08, 2010
8:07 AM
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@robbert: FWIW, I don't OB at all and i have a full set of Buddha harps I use for performance. They are not gapped low. They are gapped a little on the higher side since I play with a strong attack most of the time. Chris assures me that i can still play OBs on them, but I just take his word for it, since i don't actually play any OBs. If my Buddha harps were set up specifically for OBs I'd probably be freezing up reeds all the time.
The moral of the story is that a custom harp can be set up for whatever your style of playing happens to be.
Last Edited by on Nov 08, 2010 8:08 AM
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MP
973 posts
Nov 08, 2010
9:20 AM
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good one RT123!! i got the same result as you from a custom but got the McDLT instead of the McRib.
that's cool, my playing style is more McDLT anyway.
-i kick ass now at SPACE PANIC too!---------
MP
hibachi cook for the yakuza
doctor of semiotics
superhero emeritus
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harmonicanick
990 posts
Nov 08, 2010
9:34 AM
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@Greyowlphotoart
Please give me your e mail and I will contact you off-forum re uk customisers
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snakes
586 posts
Nov 08, 2010
9:42 AM
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Well I was reluctant to start my own post on the B-Rad due to a perception I have that I lack some respect on this forum. Granted the lack of respect I garner is most likely well deserved as I've stated more than once that I am a singer who attempts to play harp versus the other. I do have a couple of posts and was blessed to be at HCH so I am not ignorant of the culture of this forum and its astute members. All that said I've had my B-Rad for two or three weeks now (key of Bb) and will add that I've purchase three customs from three different customizers. I guess I'd add also that I'm just an intermediate and I do not overblow. I do use some tongue blocking techniques including the lower range draw bends. So you can take my commentary with a grain of salt if you like, but here goes.
I think the B-Rad is awesome. Mine is easier to draw bend than at least one of my customs. I also do not have the trouble of the reads choking out on harp my when I pour my soul into the harp and in the process forget BBQ Bob's mantra of breath control. When I play out I use Suzuki Fire Breath's and back them up with Manji's, but my first choice most of the time specific to each key I own is my customs and my B-Rad. Those four harmonicas give me the closest thing I've experienced to approaching stream of consciousness due to their ease of playing. The price of the B-Rad is close to the price I paid for at least one of the customs I bought. For the curious my customs came from Deak, Buddha, and Joe Spiers. I will not compare them as the relevance of the comparison would only be to me (i.e. reread first paragraph).
The bottom line for me? All four of the harps that I would call higher priced harps are worth purchasing and worth the money. If you are in a place where you desire to price shop then this comment is not for you as I'll not broach that topic. I will say that I have my favorites of the four harps (three customs and the B-Rad) and the B-Rad is one of them. There you have it - my 2 cents. I like the harmonica and hope to order another one next year. Hope this helps some of the less than professional players out there like me who may have demanding day jobs, etc. that prevent them from being comparable to any of the respected pros here, but may be considering a B-Rad purchase. Go for it.
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GermanHarpist
1843 posts
Nov 08, 2010
9:46 AM
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Good post, snakes. Thanks.
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The MBH thread-thread thread!
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Arnoud73
12 posts
Nov 08, 2010
11:47 AM
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Snakes: can you answer my question:
If you own a B radical is it easy to get spare reeds ??
Thanx,
Arnoud
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http://www.myspace.com/arnoudbluesharp
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snakes
587 posts
Nov 08, 2010
12:44 PM
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I haven't ordered any reeds yet. That was one of the draws to this harmonica for me though was that it would be more efficient to replace a reed if needed. You should email someone at Harrison and ask them if they are selling individual reeds yet. I've found them to be very responsive to my email communications.
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Arnoud73
13 posts
Nov 08, 2010
12:54 PM
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if it's a really good harp, and it's easy to order and replace reeds, then it would be a live time good harp.....
Thanx for your replay.
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http://www.myspace.com/arnoudbluesharp
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bluemoose
380 posts
Nov 08, 2010
1:09 PM
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Anyone heard when they will be getting around to making key of G B-rads? I saw their expected order of key manufacture a while ago but can't find it anymore.
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MBH Webbrain
FerretFox Webbrain
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robbert
5 posts
Nov 09, 2010
4:27 PM
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Thanks very much for all the discussion on B-radicals and custom instruments. It was informative, and fun.
Now, I have another issue. If anyone out there plays chromatic harmonica, for styles other than blues,do you use different keys for different approaches?
I've stayed away from playing any chromatic other than C, because of the expense of (especially) 4-octave instruments, and because it's hard enough for me to think in different scales on the C harp...at least I pretty much know the note layout...and can play in some other scales without too many problems.
I can fake my way more convincingly on some of the flat keys, while some of the sharp keys, I run into trouble.
I've been listening to an excellent player, Clint Hoover, who's a great jazz player on chromatic, as well as an incredible pre-war blues stylist on diatonic. He sounds like an ob'r as well.
In listening to him, I've become convinced he uses different keyed chromatics, probably for the tone, or maybe some songs just are more approachable in different keys. In other words, I feel sure that if he wanted to play every key on a C harp, he could. But he chooses not to, I think.
I know that Toot Theilemans, on the other hand, uses only a C harp(3- 0ctave), and he plays in every key.
I really appreciate Hoover's approach to the chromatic. He's very soulful, as well as technical. Jazz chromatic can come off as being pretty dry sometimes, in my experience.
Any chrome players have insight on this?
I've got an email to Clint, but no response yet. Perhaps he's on the road...
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Buzadero
625 posts
Nov 09, 2010
4:44 PM
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Some years back, I was working on the Boulder Dam.
As such, I lived in Las Vegas for about 8 months, flying home on weekends (nice airfares in and out of that town).
I was fortunate enough to be tolerated frequently by the late (great) Bill Romel. He was gracious enough to indulge me in hanging out quite a few times at his home. During the course of that time (and, owing to the fact that it was a very lucrative job, I had far more money than sense), I stalked about a dozen different 270's off of eBay. Each one was re-worked by Bill while I "helped". Lucite combs, all new savers, etc. The works. So, when it was all said and done, I ended up with a couple of "C"s, a "Bb", two "A"s, and other keys.
I have them all at the house in their own chromatic case. Every now and then, when I'm feeling saucy, I will set down whatever ten-holer that I'm fiddling with along with some tune and pick up the corresponding chromo and force feed it into my usual 3rd position "chromatic" playing. Minimal buttoning, since I'm a hacker.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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dougharps
2 posts
Nov 09, 2010
6:33 PM
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@ robbert (and the forum)
(I am new to this forum and this is one of my first posts. )
Smokey Joe Leone uses multiple keys of chromatics. I believe other players do, too. I use multiple chromatics.
I recall a thread (Harp_L? Slidemeister?) that reported that some well known classical and jazz chromatic players have at times used different keyed chromatics to access chords and double stops impossible on a C chrom in the given key. They also reportedly have done it at times because a melody in a key lays much easier on a different keyed chromatic, and can be played more smoothly and faster. Some pros have been reported to keep it a secret that they use other keys of chromatic.
Most chromatic professionals seem to use just a C chromatic for most of their music.
I am not certainly not as good a player as Joe Leone, Clint Hoover, Chris Bauer, or Toots. I heard Clint Hoover in Minneapolis and thought he was wonderful and I love his CD. I would like to hear his response to you.
I can play any given chromatic (I have 7 keys, Bb to E by circle of 5ths) in a number of keys, and use them for blues, jazz, country, rock, and folk.
When I was playing jazz gigs (no, I am not a jazz musician, but I successfully pretended to play jazz) I used gig money to gradually expand my chromatic keys to cover some songs that were challenging with what keys I had. Hering chroms were pretty cheap at that time.
Now I mainly play diatonics. Sometimes I use chroms because I want the chromatic sound for the song as opposed to diatonic, or because I find it easier to play a melody cleanly for a given song. Sometimes I use a chromatic to play through some song's difficult changes.
Sometimes I use two, three, or even four diatonics on a song, if needed. Often I can play a song well on either chrom or diatonic, and sometimes switch between chrom and diatonic in one song, in different "positions", for different effects.
I don't find it difficult to switch keys of chromatics as I have good relative pitch. If I had perfect pitch, I would probably stick to a C chromatic. I have learned where the intervals lay on the harmonica (not the notes), and orient myself to the chromatic's key.
Ultimately, the use of multiple keyed instruments or only one key is a choice each player needs to make, whether you play diatonic or chromatic, or both.
Do you put in the time and effort to be able to play all keys with facility on one key of harmonica before you play in certain keys? How long will it take to be able to improvise in any key on a C chromatic?
Or, do you take the short cut of multiple keyed instruments so you can play songs in different keys without years of scales?
I do not have the ambition of playing it all on one diatonic, though I continue to learn new keys/positions I can play in on a diatonic. I do a little overblowing on diatonic, and hope to improve and expand this technique. I use a full set of diatonic Richter harps and some high and low harps. I use minors sometimes and melody makers on occasion. I have used Paddy Richter and Country Tuned.
True mastery of the chromatic, in my opinion, IS to be able to play it all on a C chrom (not me yet, and maybe never in my lifetime, but I continue to work to improve).
I think that even if you can do it all on one harmonica, you need to be willing to choose other keyed harps when you think the music would benefit.
In my opinion, it is about the music you want to make.
This applies to the tongue block/ pursed lips debate, and the overblow or not debate.
Think the music you want and then do what you need to so you can play it. Continue to develop techniques and you will think of new music you want to play.
Have fun... Make music...
Doug
PS I know this is LONG, and not just a response to robbert. It is also sort of an introduction of myself to the forum.
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dougharps
3 posts
Nov 09, 2010
6:36 PM
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By the way, getting into chromatics, etc is getting pretty far from the B Radical this started with. Probably I should have posted in a different thread, but I did want to respond to robbert.
Doug
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robbert
6 posts
Nov 09, 2010
6:36 PM
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I also knew Bill Romel a little. I have one 4-octave harp and a tool kit from him. Very nice guy, nice harp that he practically gave to me. I don't play it much, preferring a 2016, because it is very durable. His harp has excellent "mello" tone, though.
I'm not a very technical player, certainly not a jazz player, but I use the chromatic for mostly non -blues material to get a more of a jazz feel. Also the lower octave is marvelous - that tone.
I'm trying to figure out if I should invest in more chromatics in different keys.
However,I think you should treasure those Romels since he is gone now.
Take care.
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robbert
13 posts
Nov 10, 2010
3:20 PM
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Thanks for all the information. I appreciate all the input. It gives me more to think about.
A forum like this is great. Keeps you more or less from operating in a vacuum.
I'll probably start another thread on the subject.
Thanks again, all.
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2010 3:23 PM
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robbert
14 posts
Nov 10, 2010
3:28 PM
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this is a test
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robbert
15 posts
Nov 10, 2010
3:34 PM
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Thanks for all input
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